MWR Executive Vice President Ty Norris declined comment Sunday morning on the status of the negotiations, while team co-owner Michael Waltrip said nothing had changed as far as Martin's situation. SHR officials also had no comment.

Martin acknowledged Friday that there had been conversations about him replacing Stewart, who is out indefinitely with a broken leg suffered Aug. 5 at Southern Iowa Speedway.

Vickers already has been named as the driver of the Aaron’s-sponsored car for 2014 and 2015. He was scheduled to run nine races in that car this season while Martin had 24 and Michael Waltrip had three.

SHR put Max Papis in the car last week and Austin Dillon is in the car Sunday at Michigan. On Friday, SHR Competition Director Greg Zipadelli said Dillon likely would run at least one more race in place of Stewart.